At the Forget-Me-Not Cottage on the Old Glenn Highway in Chugiak, it's easy to feel like you're being watched. There's a face in every direction. The glances aren't suspicious though. They're the curious looks of statues, dolls and figurines that are part of a collection that spans generations.

Having driven by many times, I've been curious to stop in and see what it looked like inside the store. I imagined it was chock-full of antiques and collectible. It certainly is. Shoppers must navigate narrow paths through shelves and dressers overflowing with stuff the store sells by consignment. Perhaps the close quarters enhance experience for treasure-hunting shoppers.

Kelly Kolb, the owner, told me a store like this has been something she had thought about creating for 30 years prior to opening her doors in 2003. She gave up her job as a secretary for the opportunity to be in change. "Instead of working for somebody else, I work for myself," Kolb said. She says she's a collector herself, concentrating on English bone china cups and saucers.
Kelly Kolb, owner of Forget-Me-Not Gifts and Collectibles